(C.japonica), F. Amatuer, Correspondance des Plantes, 1833, Magazin d’Horticulture 1

[pt,E]:41: Louvain 1st Dec.1832. The camellia Candidissima, which is described in your

journal, was introduced directly from Japan by Dr Siebold. This camellia, together with

‘Donckelaeri’ (Masayoshi), Ochroleuca and Tricolor (‘Ezo-nishiki’), arrived in Holland

from Japan in 1829 and were first grown by Donckelaer and was the second of this group to

flower. On pp.4, 5: This variety is remarkable for its leaves which resemble those of

Welbankiana, except that they are thinner and supple to touch, with fine, acute serrations.

The flower of 8 cm in diameter, is very double with regularly arranged, oblong, snow-white

petals, exactly resembling a dahlia. It is mid-season flowering, pure white, formal double of

about 65 petals, medium size, about 8 cm across, petals acuminate and can be imbricated to

form a tiered or star shape. Leaves, light green, ovate, 6 cm long by 2.5 cm wide. Growth

slow. Orthographic errors: ‘Candadissima’, ‘Candissima’, ‘Candidessima’, ‘Candidisma’,

‘Candidissimia’. Synonyms: ‘Louise Centurioni’, ‘French Pearl’, ‘Effie B. Youtz’, ‘White

Star’, ‘Palmeria Alba’, ‘Louise Centruioni’, ‘Sieboldii’, ‘Candidissima Plena’, ‘Alba

Candidissima’. Black and white photos: Hume, 1955, Camellias in America; Hertrich, 1954,

Camellias in the Huntington Gardens, vol.I, p.75. Originated in Japan. Chinese synonym

‘Xuedi’.